Driven: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Hybrid or V-6? That's the choice Buick is offering LaCrosse buyers for 2012, and neither option is extra-cost.

The V-6 is a 3.6-liter that makes 303 hp, which is considerably more power than you get with the 4-cylinder hybrid. The V-6 also is alone in offering the option of all-wheel drive.

The hybrid, which Buick calls eAssist, is a mild hybrid, in that it can't propel the car solely on electric power, even at low speeds. Instead, as the car's name implies, it assists with 15 hp and 79 pound-feet of torque, helping the 182-hp four-cylinder accelerate this 3835-pound car. More importantly, it allows the engine to shut down at stoplights and then smoothly and instantly restart, aiding the cause of fuel economy. Speaking of miles per gallon, the LaCrosse eAssist is EPA rated at an impressive 25/36 mpg. That's much better than the 19/30 mpg for unassisted four-cylinder offered previously, not to mention far more economical than the V-6's 17/27 mpg.

A six-speed automatic, instead of a stepless CVT, gives the LaCrosse conventional-feeling throttle response rather than the elastic response conveyed with a CVT. Speaking of response, though, with the LaCrosse's ultra-tall final drive ratio, you really have to put your foot into it to awaken this powertrain. On a positive note, the 2.4-liter Ecotec --which, like many direct-injected four-cylinders, is not known for its mellifluous sound quality -- here has been so effectively muffled that could almost be a V-6, at least under 3000 rpm. And the car is very quiet overall.

If that's what you'd expect from a Buick, then so too is the chassis. The car comfortably sops up bumps but would benefit from greater damping of body motions, to quell squat and dive. The electrically assisted power steering is rather numb and artificial-feeling.

As in many other hybrids, the eAssist battery pack is located behind the rear seat, and it takes up a bit of trunk room (as do the old-fashioned-style gooseneck hinges and their big plastic housings).

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1111_2012_buick_lacrosse_eassist/viewall.html#ixzz1eZ8D7sJg

LaCrosse GL Concept Refines Buick’s Signature Style

LOS ANGELES – When designers set out to capture the essence of Buick luxury for the LaCrosse GL concept vehicle, they looked to the fine cuisine, heirloom objects and enriching experiences the brand’s customers savor. The design study is on display at the L.A. Auto Show through Nov. 17.

Buick’s color and trim designers worked from a palette of cabernet red, dark cocoa brown and caramel choccachino. They took inspiration from the burnished metal of antique jewelry, ombré patina on vintage guitars and flocked lining of keepsake boxes. For GL’s French-stitched premium leather seats, the designers looked to the understated elegance of classic club chairs and contours of windswept sand dunes. And their use of smooth suede for the headliner is designed to invite one’s touch like a favorite pair of gloves.

“The LaCrosse GL concept expresses Buick’s distinctly human kind of luxury – one that is as warmly inviting as it is elegant and refined,” said David Lyon, executive director of design. “The design cues that already distinguish the production LaCrosse – such as the premium leather-upholstered seats, ice blue ambient lighting and soft touch surfaces – are amplified in the GL and serve as inspiration for future Buick models.”

LaCrosse GL’s cabernet red exterior paint is complemented by brushed and tinted chrome accents on the grille, door handles and deck lid, as well as around the windows, taillights and headlights. Machine-face, satin-finish 20-inch rims fill the wheel wells for a firmly planted appearance.
“The brushed-and-tinted chrome trim gives the GL a more subdued appearance than if we had used bright chrome. The overall effect is more in keeping with Buick’s quietly confident aesthetic,” said Magdalena Kokoszynska, creative designer on LaCrosse GL.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Nov/1109_lacrosse_gl

Driven: 2012 Buick Regal GS

How does a European sport sedan dovetail with an American luxury brand that exists because the Chinese want to ride in the back of pillowy four-doors? It's a mind-melting philosophical question, but the answer is simple for the masters of brand management. After a seven-year sabbatical, the forty-seven-year-old Gran Sport name is back.

The Buick Regal GS has its roots in Europe's Opel Insignia OPC, but don't call this a badge-engineering exercise. Buick opted not to use the OPC's strident 2.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 and Haldex all-wheel-drive system in a play for lower weight and higher fuel economy. Instead, our GS has a high-output version of the Regal Turbo's direct-injected, boosted four-cylinder driving the front wheels. Even so, compared with an Audi A4, the GS is about 200 pounds too heavy (at 3710 pounds) and comes up at least three miles short for every gallon of gas it swills (at 19/27 mpg city/highway).

Dialing the boost pressure from 15 psi to 20 psi pushes power from 220 hp to 270 hp and smooths out some of the awkward surges that plague the Regal Turbo. Despite the more civilized power delivery, the GS-tuned engine is still afflicted with subtle, uneven pulses at part throttle, and the turbocharger whistles and whirs like it's bolted into a Class 8 truck. At full tilt, it doesn't sound more exciting than any other frenzied four-cylinder, but the 2.0-liter turbo delivers prolonged bursts of power that stretch all the way to redline. Its 295 lb-ft of peak torque isn't reached until 2400 rpm, which translates to a single breath of lag leaving the line.

To combat torque steer, the GS employs the so-called HiPer Strut front suspension that decouples the steering and suspension geometries. It can't eliminate every tug at the steering wheel, but it does reduce the severity enough to turn punches into prods. The Sachs adaptive dampers are similarly adept at softening blows -- at least in their most compliant standard setting. There's now a mode (on top of sport) called GS that makes the ride -- and body control -- substantially tauter. Few adaptive suspensions manage to effect changes that are both as palpable and as constructive.

The nicely contoured steering wheel is backed by quick responses and a natural effort, although there isn't much feedback from the front wheels. New sport seats offer excellent bolstering without being too aggressive, and the six-speed manual swiftly clicks through light throws. (A six-speed automatic becomes available in early 2012.) Driven quickly over back roads, the Regal GS displays obedient fluidity, impressive composure, and surprising balance. The optional twenty-inch Pirelli PZero summer tires stick impressively through corners, and the chassis responds positively to trail-braking. The Regal GS doesn't have the connected, organic feel of the best sport sedans, but it is much sharper and more fun than an Acura TSX V-6 and more alert than an Audi A4.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1112_2012_buick_regal_gs_driven/index.html#ixzz1ckYgf5Ea

Buick Illinois

Consumer Report 2011 Annual Car Reliability Survey: Most reliable American cars

Consumer Reports recently unveiled the results of its latest reliability survey, showing that Asian brands continue to occupy the top-tier, claiming nine of the top 10 spots in our rankings. However, the findings among the domestic brands are noteworthy, and there’s plenty of good news within each segment.

We’re often asked how the domestics’ reliability stacks up, especially with some people wanting to specifically buy American. (Of course, defining what is an “American” car can be a challenge.) The results show that there are some very reliable U.S.-branded models, but they also remind of potential risks with buying first-year models.

Below is a list of vehicles with the highest predicted reliability within their respective segments. (We have only listed models whose predicted reliability is average or better.)

Luxury SUVs
Buick Enclave (FWD) 

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/10/most-reliable-american-cars.html

Buick Verano Hybrid Coming--But Not Until 2015

By John Voelcker

Remember The Purloined Letter, the classic Edgar Allen Poe story where a letter is hidden by storing it in plain sight?

General Motors may not have realized it, but the industry trade journal Automotive News seems to have published a previously unannounced piece of its future model plans--right out in the open.
The vehicle is a hybrid-electric version of the Buick Verano, the compact luxury sedan that's just now hitting dealerships.

The hybrid Verano won't arrive, mind you, until 2015.

At least, that's what it says on an Automotive News graphic spread, "Suppliers to the 2012 Buick Verano," that breaks out ... well, the major companies that supply components to the 2012 Verano program.

The data used comes from Supplier Business, which tracks supplier relationships across the entire industry.

The entry is for a "2.5-liter Hybrid (2015-2020)," which we suspect is the successor to the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine fitted with the mild-hybrid system known as eAssist (in the 2012 Buick Lacrosse and Regal) and also used in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1067536_buick-verano-hybrid-coming--but-not-until-2015

REVIEWS: 2012 Buick Regal GS

General Motors now has a truly global product development organization, but it still seems somewhat flustered when it comes to marketing "foreign" cars in the United States. The Buick Regal GS is the latest vehicle -- the Saturn Astra, the Pontiac GTO and G8, and the Cadillac Catera also come to mind -- to land haphazardly on our shores without a well-defined mission.

To recap briefly, the Opel Insignia, which debuted in Europe to rave reviews in 2008, was supposed to come to the United States as part of a broad alliance between Opel and Saturn. Alas, Saturn went belly up and GM ran away from the idea of an "Opel USA," though the company's latest products, including the Chevrolet Cruze and the upcoming Malibu, ride on platforms developed largely in Europe. Cast about in this shuffle, the Insignia, by now a three-year-old car, arrived to fight in a bitterly competitive segment wearing an old muscle-car nameplate for a brand looking to steal Lexus buyers. As if that weren't enough to swallow, the official launch party for the GS, which I attended, was at a Buick-sponsored Plain White Tees concert in Miami Beach. Can you say, "Huh?" Compare this confusion with the focused campaign that accompanied the Ford Fiesta's U.S. launch, and you'll see the issue.

I bring all this up because I worry the marketing will sabotage a very good product. The GS treatment polishes over our complaints about the Regal 2.0T. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder seems to breathe more freely in this high-output configuration and suffers less from turbo lag, though the moment's hesitation off the line and a faint whistling keep it from quite matching the Audi A4's excellent four-cylinder. The GS has some of the sharpest steering I've experienced in a front-wheel-drive car, and despite the extra power, doesn't suffer from much torque steer. It dives into corners with almost unsettling quickness and exhibits very little body roll, especially when the dampers are in "GS" mode. The firm ride, progressive brake pedal, and slick manual shifter all further the impression that the Regal is a well thought out European sedan. And unlike the imported Holdens and Opels of yore, the Regal doesn't have a bland exterior or a confounding interior. The latter does suffer from having too many center-console buttons but this, again, reflects the car's age more than its origin. Some will continue to question the decision to forgo the Insignia OPC's turbo V-6 and all-wheel drive. I actually drove that car and find this setup much lighter and more responsive feeling.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/editors_notebook/1110_2012_buick_regal_gs/index.html#ixzz1ah9PgGsW

2012 Buick LaCrosse vs. La Crosse, Wisconsin - Feature Test

Who wouldn’t salivate at the prospect of spending a week or so prying into both the refreshed 2012 edition of Buick’s curvy two-year-old entry-luxury sedan and Wisconsin’s mostly rectilinear brick-and-mortar, 161-year-old, 12th-largest metropolis? No wonder this unlikely pair of name-alikes posed an in­triguing and irresistible challenge for C/D’s test team.

Let’s admit upfront that there are significant basic differences—the Buick LaCrosse’s 13 cubic feet of storage space, for instance, loses lopsidedly to the Wisconsin competitor’s estimated 34,000,000 cubic feet (not counting attics, cellars, or barns). Plus, the Badger-state candidate’s options extend to running water, Chinese takeout, and Swedish massage, while the far-from-spartan Buick can counter only with the usual extras like a sunroof and a rear-seat entertainment system. And the Wisconsin version offers an option unavailable to the Buick customer: You can call the movers and vamoose.

The proud product of Kansas City, Kansas, is big but is edged by its nomenclatural Wisconsin counterpart at 22.2 square miles. That’s big. Yet consider: Both are products of the same U.S. Midwestern ethic, both have plentiful doors and seating room, and no one on the coasts has ever heard of either of them. So LaCrosse versus La Crosse, here we come.

Performance is a clear Buick strong point in any meaningful comparison, hardly a shocking state of affairs when you glance at the specs: Even though the Buick LaCrosse is powered by a modest 2.4-liter, inline four-cylinder (with the mildest of  hybrid systems) pumping out 182 horsepower (the 303-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 costs extra), its roughly two-ton mass makes for a power-to-weight ratio for either version that leaves La Crosse—tipping the scales at an estimated 3.45 billion tons (and that’s not even including suburbs)—at something of a disadvantage. Even the mayor candidly admits, “It’s hard to get this place moving forward.”

The Buick LaCrosse should yield respectable, though less than neck-snapping, 0-to-60 times of 6.4 to 8.9 seconds, depending on the engine; meanwhile, the Wisconsin entity, geologists report, moves about 0.00001 inch per millennium. Sounds glacially slow, sure, but that turns out in fact to be about average for every city and town in its geographical category. And no disgrace for a heavyweight toting so many billions of tons of avoirdupois that it makes even the pudgy Buick seem like a flyweight. Happily, the wet-weather braking performance of the Buick is consistent and efficient. Our testers found that La Crosse comes to a screeching halt at midnight sharp every Saturday—rain or shine.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11q3/2012_buick_lacrosse_vs._la_crosse_wisconsin-feature_test

Buick LaCrosse Chicago

Regal GS Earns Victory at Silver State Classic Challenge

DETROIT – The all-new 2012 Buick Regal GS beat the clock in Nevada’s Silver State Classic Challenge, claiming victory in the 120-mph Grand Touring class on Sunday, Sept. 18, with Bill Rietow, GS lead development engineer, driving and John Townsend, GS drive quality powertrain engineer, navigating.

The Silver State Classic Challenge, now in its 24^th year, is a bi-annual open road rally that runs on a remote, two-lane, 90-mile-long section of Nevada State Highway 318, where specially prepared cars often reach speeds exceeding 200 mph.

Rietow and Townsend precisely piloted the Regal GS to victory with a .019 second deviation from the perfect 45-minute time of course completion for the 120-mph class. This near perfect time also netted the Buick team the "Most Accurate Rookie" award among the 34 rookie teams participating in the event. 

“The Regal GS did extremely well at course speeds, delivering stable, balanced performance throughout the run,” Rietow said. “Our racing experience prepared us for the challenge of maintaining a high average speed over a long distance.”

Rietow, a Sports Car Club of America and Corvette Club of Michigan autocross racer, and Townsend, a veteran of the Corvette Club of Michigan, pushed the GS without breaching the car or class limits.
“While our maximum allowed speed in this class was 140-mph, we only needed to push it to 137-mph to maintain our course speed average,” Townsend said.  “This car has a top speed of more than 150 mph and we had plenty of power in reserve.”

Rietow and Townsend piloted a stock Regal GS, its only modifications being required safety equipment such as a roll hoop and five-point harness seat belts, as well as computational equipment for data collection. Photos, video and results are posted here.

Read More: http://media.opel.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Sep/0919_regalgs

2012 Buick Verano Priced From $23,470; Top Trim Starts at $26,850

Buick’s upcoming 2012 Verano will start at $23,470, and the highest of the three available trim levels will require $26,850. The Verano first debuted at this year’s Detroit auto show, and the compact Buick shares its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Cruze. The base Verano will be equipped with ten airbags, a seven-inch color dashboard display, IntelliLink Bluetooth connectivity system, automatic climate control, remote start, and 18-inch wheels. Leather, a heated steering wheel, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, and unique 18-inch wheels are all available options. All Verano models are powered by a 180-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2012-buick-verano-priced-from-23470-top-trim-starts-at-26850/

Verano Takes Quiet Tuning to New Level of Refinement

DETROIT – The all-new 2012 Buick Verano luxury sedan, which goes on sale later this year, is expected to deliver one of the quietest driving experiences in the industry – better than key competitors Lexus IS 250 and Acura TSX.

Buick noise and vibration engineers fine-tuned Verano to the highest standard of quietness by replicating the hushed interior of another luxury sedan – the Buick LaCrosse.

“By positioning the Verano against the very best, our noise and vibration team went above and beyond to deliver the quiet driving experience for which Buicks have become known,” said Chuck Russell, Verano vehicle line director. “Quiet-tuning components and systems are built into every facet of the Verano’s architecture.”

Vehicles generate noise in a number of ways, including the transmission and gears, air induction and exhaust, electro and electromechanical parts, fuel delivery and brake function, as well as road and wind noise.

A dozen noise-reducing and noise-cancelling technologies are used throughout Verano’s body structure for increased cabin isolation and quietness – all without adding net weight to the car:

1. A 5.4-mm-thick acoustic-laminated windshield and 4.85-mm-thick acoustic laminated side glass that minimizes wind noise
2. Acoustic insulation material on both sides of the front steel dash panel and under the hood that reduce engine noise
3. Five layers of acoustic insulation material in the headliner, including a premium fabric on the visible outer layer that muffles wind noise
4. Triple-sealed doors that keep out exterior noise
5. Three layers of acoustic insulation material in the doors that reduces the sound of wet-road sizzle
6. Dual-density carpet on the floor that block coarse road and tire noise
7. Underbody paneling that lowers wind and low road-surface noise while improving fuel economy
8. Liquid-applied sound deadener that supports a solid body structure
9. Specially tuned air intake and exhaust systems that enable pleasing engine sound quality without sacrificing engine performance
10. Isolated chassis components that reduce vibrations over irregular road surfaces for a solid road feel
11. A patented rear suspension that enables crisp road feel and superior ride and handling performance without sacrificing quietness
12. Hydraulic suspension bushings and an isolated engine cradle that reduces or eliminates vibrations.

In addition, Verano uses heat-activated baffles in various pillars, crossbars and other structural members to seal and close sections of the body structure that could transmit noise or allow water leaks. The heat-activated baffles are inserted at strategic areas of the body structure and expand in paint ovens to fill the structural cavities.

The sound of silence in the Verano resulted from hundreds of virtual and physical tests on the car’s body structure, tires, chassis, interior and powertrain under a variety of conditions to eliminate or reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Road noise was measured on a variety of surfaces and in a wind tunnel, as well as in thermal and cold chambers. A four-post shaker rig was used to evaluate squeaks and rattles.

Among the 200 parts that typically come under scrutiny during noise analysis is the air induction system, which helps engine efficiency and performance. Special tuning elements were made to Verano’s clean air duct to remove harsh frequencies during vehicle acceleration.

Verano’s acoustic engine cover, alternator and refined engine accessory drive system are designed for quiet operation, and its six-speed automatic transmission allows the engine to operate at lower – and less noisy – speeds on the highway. 

Read More: http://media.opel.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Aug/0822_verano

General Motors to unveil new Buick models

For the longest time now, the automotive community has regarded the Buick models as a “sensible luxury” vehicle like its competitors Acura and Lexus. Meaning, Buick isn’t really in line with performance luxury vehicles like the BMW and Audi whose direct competitor from the General Motors line is the Cadillac. Whenever the name Buick comes up in conversations or when you talk to Buick experts, you’d get the idea that Buick isn’t in par with Mercedes-Benz.

Anyway, like most brands, the automotive community still wonders what the world can expect from the brand in the years to come.

There have been reports that American car company General Motors is gearing up to unveil a redesigned version of the Opel Astra as a three-door Buick Astra model to US consumers. However, we still have no reports about the specifications and engine details.

The Buick Astra model is not the only model that’s been getting the limelight. There’s also the production of the so-called Baby Enclave which is a five-seater compact crossover model which is expected to roll out in the 2013 product line. The Baby Enclave will be built on the brand’s Gamma subcompact platform. This model has also been called the Encore.

Lastly, GM is also producing the Buick Enclave crossover which has been improved with massive upgrades for its interiors one of which is the brand’s IntelliLink infortainment feature. As for the revamped Enclave, it might roll out as part of the 2016 lineup some time in 2015.

Read More: http://buickblog.net/general-motors-to-unveil-new-buick-models/

Recall: 2012 Buick LaCrosse for faulty electronic stability control

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and General Motors are recalling more than 4,000 Buick LaCrosse vehicles for failing to meet federal requirements for electronic stability control, or ESC.

According to NHTSA, certain models of the 2012 Buick LaCrosse were manufactured between June and July with an improperly calibrated Stabilitrak ESC system. The flaw may prevent the control system from detecting malfunctioning sensors and fail to alert drivers of a problem with the Stabilitrak feature. The result: The ESC may activate improperly, causing sudden and unexpected changes to how the sedan handles which may lead to a collision.

GM is expected to alert affected LaCrosse owners this month to bring the to their local dealerships. Mechanics there will reprogram the Stabilitrak's electronic brake control module free of charge.
For more information, consumers can call the toll-free number for Buick (866-608-8080) or visit the NHTSA website: www.SaferCar.gov.

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2011/08/recall-2012-buick-lacrosse-for-faulty-electronic-stability-control.html

Buick Regal GS pricing to begin at $35,310

DETROIT -- General Motors announced today that prices for the 2012 Buick Regal GS, a sporty performance model that aims to endear the brand to younger drivers, will start at $35,310, including transportation costs.

When the Regal GS goes on sale later this fall it will be the most expensive car in the Buick line, trailing only the Enclave crossover -- which starts at $36,600.

With a 270 horsepower 2.0 liter direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine, GM says the Regal GS gets an estimated 27 mpg highway. At first, the GS will only be available with a six-speed manual transmission, but GM says that a six-speed automatic transmission will be available later in the model year.

GM also announced pricing for the 2012 Regal with eAssist, which will start at $29,530, including transporation. eAssist is a $2,000 option on the base model Regal, which starts at $27,530. The 2011 Regal started at $26,360.

The Regal with eAssist gets 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway – exceeding the highway fuel economy of the higher priced Lexus HS Hybrid and the Lincoln MK7 Hybrid, GM said.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110804/OEM04/110809891/1292#ixzz1UjfjZYCr

Buick Looking to Get Younger, Adds New Models with Pizzazz

Buick is working hard to shed its image of the “old guy car.” No longer a brand that whisks grandparents to bingo and doctors’ appointments, it now offers luxurious, high-end and even sporty sedans and crossovers aimed at the pre-Medicare generation.

Buick will build on its rebranding over the next few years, redesigning many models and introducing new ones.  In all, Buick will retool or introduce six different models starting in 2013, and expect the brand to take on a completely new look by the 2016 model year. With all of these changes Buick will go through, parent company GM hopes to continue attracting a younger demographic, but without alienating Buick’s “traditional” buyer.

2011 Buick Verano: The first compact Buick in more than 20 years, the Verano goes on sale this fall. The Acura TSX-fighter will come standard with GM’s IntelliLink infotainment system, and is based on the same mechanical underpinnings as the Chevy Cruze.

• 177-hp Ecotec 2.4-liter engine
• 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels come standard. Optional 18-inch wheels available.
• Estimated fuel economy: 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway

2013 Buick Encore: Seen as a “baby Enclave,” the Encore five-seat compact crossover is expected to join Buick’s line-up for the 2013 model year. While details are still slim, especially for a vehicle that’s only a year away, here’s what we know:

• Will be built on Chevy’s Gamma platform, the same one that the new Sonic will be perched on. Translation: It will be small.
• Expected to compete against Acura’s RDX and the Infiniti EX

2012 Buick Regal: Expected to be launched in the fall, the Regal will have a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine churning out 270 hp, or the option of eAssist. GM is also weighing its options to put a Regal wagon on the road in China and it hasn’t gotten the go-ahead here in the U.S either.

• Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to a six-speed transmission
• Optional eAssist mild hybrid system available

2012 Buick LaCrosse: Buick’s eAssist, a mild hybrid system, debuts on the 2012 LaCrosse, improving fuel economy by up to 25 percent. We expect eAssist to make its way across all Buick models in the coming years. The LaCrosse will be redesigned and is expected to be made available to the public for the 2013 model year.

• A new grille, hood, and rear tailgate will be added for 2013
• 2.4-liter engine will be combined with a small electric motor

2012 Buick Enclave: This three-row crossover first appeared in Buick’s line-up in 2008.  Expect a facelift in 2013 and a new generation surfacing around 2015.
2013 Buick Astra: This small compact is expected to be added to Buick’s line-up for the 2013 model year. Buick is weighing its options on bringing a three-door rebadged version of the Opel Astra to the U.S., thus far there’s no definite launch date. Originally planned to be inserted to Saturn’s line-up, the Astra would share a front-drive platform with the Verano.

Read more: http://blogs.automotive.com/buick-looking-to-get-younger-adds-new-models-with-pizzazz-45681.html#ixzz1TVPSxfxx

REVIEWS: 2011 Buick Enclave CXL-2 AWD

Four years after its introduction, the Buick Enclave remains a strong competitor -- and a strong seller -- in a tough segment. To quantify the latter point, consider that Buick has sold 23,998 Enclaves through the first five months of the year, compared with 18,821 Acura MDXs, 2112 Lincoln MKTs and 3872 Audi Q7s. Those sales would be in addition to the 33,526 mechanically identical GMC Acadias that were sold predominantly through the same dealer network during the same period.

The Enclave's styling, in my opinion, remains a big factor behind its appeal. It's expressive and instantly identifiable as a Buick -- something that cannot be said of the "globally" developed LaCrosse and Regal -- but isn't overdone, as is the case with the Lincoln MKT. That theme continues inside, where the simple round gauges and tasteful wood trim don't say GM parts bin.

Most important, the Enclave drives really well for a proper seven-seat vehicle. The steering has just the right amount of weight and feedback for a vehicle of this size, and is very accurate. The suspension doesn't crash over bumps but doesn't float, either.

There are a few places where the Enclave shows some gray hairs. The in-cabin technology, for instance, looks and feels every bit like it's been on the market four years, even though it has, in fact, received updates like Bluetooth connectivity. Keyless ignition isn't an option, something I might not have noticed if not for the very antiquated-looking keyless entry remote. On a more substantive note, I wonder if GM should consider expanding the engine lineup. No doubt, the 3.6-liter V-6 will appeal to the majority of customers in this segment and for good reason, as it offers a nice balance of respectable efficiency and smooth power. But with the Dodge Durango offering a V-8 on one end and Ford preparing the four-cylinder Explorer on the other, perhaps GM should follow suit, at least on some of its Lambda SUVs.

Read More: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/editors_notebook/1107_2011_buick_enclave_cxl_2_awd/index.html

Pandora Internet Radio Integration Spreads to Buick Models; More Automakers Plan Integration

Pandora‘s efforts—inadvertently or not—to squelch terrestrial radio continue to expand. The streaming radio service is available in a number of BMWs, Fords, Mercedes-Benzes, and Minis, and this week the company announced that it will soon be serving Pandora-monium to Scions and even more Ford and Lincoln models.

Ten Ford models and two Lincolns now support the streaming radio app, whereas before only the Ford Fiesta, Fusion, Mustang, and Lincoln MKZ were offered with the necessary AppLink SYNC software. Although you can always listen to Pandora in the car through your phone and the car’s AUX input jack, it means your hands have to be on the phone; the integrated SYNC/Pandora system can be controlled through the car’s stereo- or steering wheel–mounted controls.

Several automakers are working to integrate Pandora’s mobile app with their on-board audio systems. Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Hyundai, and Toyota all plan to offer the capability in their cars in the near future. Owners of older vehicles or those in the market for an aftermarket audio system can find Pandora integration in offerings from Alpine, JVC, Kenwood, and Pioneer; a compatible Sony system will hit the market soon.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/pandora-internet-radio-integration-spreads-to-scion-more-ford-models-more-automakers-plan-integration/

2012 Buick LaCrosse to get more powerful V-6

DETROIT -- General Motors said today that the 2012 Buick LaCrosse will get a more powerful version of its direct-injected, V-6 engine when the sedan goes on sale this summer.

The engine will deliver 303 hp, up 23 hp from the current version. It will be available on most trim levels at no extra cost from the LaCrosse's standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with GM's eAssist mild hybrid stop-start system.

Despite the added power, the new engine will deliver the same fuel economy as the current V-6: 17 mpg city/27 highway.

GM is using "lighter-weight components and enhancements to improve the engine's performance, efficiency and durability," Tom Sutter, global V-6 engineer, said in a statement.

The engine is made of a lighter-weight aluminum alloy. A new cylinder-head design has larger intake valves and longer-duration intake camshafts. Holding open the larger valves longer pulls more air into the combustion chamber, producing more power.

The 2012 LaCrosse will be the first GM vehicle to get eAssist, which combines a lithium ion battery and an electric motor-generator that enables regenerative braking.

The powertrain will generate 182 hp and get 25 mpg city/37 highway, GM estimates, up from 19 mpg city/30 highway on the 2011 model.

LaCrosse sales are down 7 percent this year, to 23,362 units, through May.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110622/OEM04/110629954/1259#ixzz1QsrK9kqx

GMC Chicago

Buick releases pricing of new mild hybrid LaCrosse e-Assist

Buick has announced pricing of $30,820 for the LaCrosse e-Assist, which becomes the base LaCrosse now, replacing the regular 2.4-liter four-cylinder version. The sticker includes an $850 destination charge.

A conventional 3.6-liter V6 engine is still optional.

The car uses GM’s mild-hybrid belt-alternator-starter hybrid system, along with a 2.4-liter version of GM’s four-cylinder Ecotec engine. In its previous life this system was used in the Malibu Hybrid. However, in the Buick, it's an evolved version that uses a new 115-volt lithium-ion battery that weighs 65 pounds. The conventional six-speed automatic transmission remains.

Although GM refrains from calling it a hybrid, the mild hybrid system shuts down the engine at stops and provides some regenerative braking capacity. It also improves low-end torque and throttle response but cannot propel the car without the gas engine running.

GM says the newly renamed eAssist system should net the LaCrosse a 37 mpg EPA-rating on the highway, though the agency has not yet signed off on that rating. The last four-cylinder LaCrosse we tested returned 37 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in the city, for an overall 23 mpg. GM claims a 24 percent fuel economy improvement overall.

We think positioning the eAssist as the base version is a good move. The LaCrosse e-Assist will go on sale later this summer.

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/06/buick-releases-pricing-of-new-mild-hybrid-lacrosse-e-assist.html

Buick Sales in China Surpass 3 Million Since 1999

Shanghai – Shanghai GM announced today that sales of Buick products have surpassed 3 million units since the joint venture began offering its original vehicle brand in 1999.


Buick has become one of China’s fastest-growing passenger car brands. With Shanghai GM’s rollout of its new Buick brand strategy in 2008, sales have increased by more than 100,000 units annually.

Shanghai GM has introduced the Buick Intelligent Performance (BIP) system, which merges European-style suspensions and powertrains with American vehicle communication systems. It is enabling Shanghai GM’s Buick portfolio to fully meet the demands of domestic consumers for products that can handle varying road and weather conditions, lower fuel consumption and emissions, and provide improved performance.

This is in line with Shanghai GM's Drive to Green strategy.  The adoption of technologies such as intelligent direct injection has greatly improved the efficiency of Buick products built and sold in China.

Buick has more than 400 4S stores across China and offers the award-winning Buick Care aftersales service brand. Shanghai GM’s design partnership with GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint venture in Shanghai has resulted in the development of a series of new and upgraded Buick models including the Excelle GT and XT passenger cars and all-new GL8 luxury MPV.

At Auto Shanghai 2011, Shanghai OnStar announced the introduction of a mobile app that will enable Buick owners who subscribe to activate all of the functions on a traditional vehicle key fob – remote start, horn and lights, and door lock/unlock – securely from their smart phones.

Shanghai GM is a joint venture between GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC). It builds, imports and sells a comprehensive range of Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet products.  In 2010, Shanghai GM became China’s first passenger car maker to sell 1 million vehicles in a single year.  It ended the year with domestic sales of 1,033,307 vehicles.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news/news_detail.brand_buick.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Apr/0426_buick

Buick Getting a Version of the Opel Astra GTC, May Get Astra-Based Convertible - Car News

We recently reported on the next Opel Astra GTC, a three-door Astra derivate that should compete with the Hyundai Veloster and the Europe-only Volkswagen Scirocco. You may recall that the GTC’s somewhat-pedestrian predecessor was sold in the U.S. as the Saturn Astra hatchback. The new car is wider and sleeker than that failed experiment, and we now have confirmation that it, too, will be sold here—as a Buick. The tri-shield brand may offer a convertible Astra on our shores, as well.

We’ve Seen this Movie Before

It must be the success of the Regal (a rebadged Opel Insignia) and interest in the new Verano (itself basically a sedan version of the Astra) that have convinced GM to bring the decidedly sporty GTC to the U.S. market as well. The new Buick will get a yet-to-be-disclosed model designation, and engine options are still being debated. In Europe, the GTC will be offered with a number of four-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines, with power ranging from around 100 hp to something like 300 hp for a high-powered, latecomer OPC derivative. For the U.S. market, the most likely propositions are the Verano's engines: a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four with an estimated 177 hp and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four that makes around 220 hp. Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions are likely.

It is unlikely that Buick will repeat the mistakes that hampered the Saturn Astra’s success in the U.S.—specifically, the car’s poor ergonomics and its being offered only with a buzzy entry-level engine, the latter a decision made when GM realized that it would lose money on the imported econobox. The U.S.-market Astra did not come close to the refinement of the uplevel European versions. Under the Buick brand, GM can offer the level of power and equipment that was deemed over-the-top for Saturn.

A Droptop Baby Buick?

Beyond the GTC, which definitely will be offered in the States, Buick's lineup could be graced with another Opel model that is currently under development. Replacing the folding-hardtop Astra Twin Top in Europe will be a new model that won't be badged Astra, but will be based on the car’s Delta platform and remain close to the current model's dimensions. The new convertible will keep its pronounced trunk and shed its clumsy hardtop in favor of a softtop, which should increase luggage space and make for a far cleaner look. Opel believes the softtop will create a more premium image.

The new convertible will be powered by the same engines that drive the GTC, excluding the ultra-high-performance OPC engines. The car’s European-market launch is planned for late 2012. Should Buick offer it, the brand could have a credible competitor to the Lexus IS convertible—albeit a front-drive one—and its first droptop since the Reatta.

If Buick is lucky, the convertible will get a better reception than the lukewarm one of the Reatta, and the GTC-based car will fare better than GM’s last U.S. Astra endeavor. Smaller, cheaper cars are one way to target a younger demographic, but it remains to be seen if the kids can get past the badge on the front.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q2/buick_getting_a_version_of_the_opel_astra_gtc_may_get_astra-based_convertible_-car_news

2011 Buick Lacrosse a Five Star NHTSA Winner

NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) was recently revised for 2011, and now incorporates increasingly stringent guidelines, new tests (a pole impact test, for instance, is now required), and evaluates various safety and stability programs. 

The LaCrosse’s five-star overall score was achieved after it earned five-star ratings for front and side impacts, along with a four-star rating for rollover prevention.

“Car buyers today want the peace of mind that comes with buying a vehicle they know will help protect their family,” said Tony DiSalle, president of Buick marketing. “This five-star overall vehicle score for safety shows Buick can equip an affordable luxury midsize sedan with top safety features.”

Safety equipment found on the Lacrosse helping it secure the honor include blind-spot monitoring, advanced safety belts with dual pretensioners, backup camera, and airbags including side-curtain protection, not to mention the several features found within OnStar.

Full press release can be found below. Few vehicles have yet to be tested under NHTSA’s 2011 NCAP standards, but even fewer midsize sedans have thus far walked away with a five-star overall score. Other four-door recipients of the five-star overall rating include the 2011 BMW 5 Series, Kia Optima, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata. Thus far, Buick’s lineup now includes two models to attain five-star scores, as the 2011 Enclave crossover was given a five-star overall rating by the agency late last year.

DETROIT – The 2011 Buick LaCrosse received a five-star overall safety rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov), the agency has announced. Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA has introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for its five-star ratings that provide more information about safety feature performance and crash-avoidance technologies.

The LaCrosse received five-star ratings for both the Overall Frontal Crash and Overall Side Crash. These crash test ratings are intrumental in helping prospective car shoppers evaluate the safety performance of new vehicles.

“Car buyers today want the peace of mind that comes with buying a vehicle they know will help protect their family,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick marketing. “This five-star overall vehicle score for safety shows Buick can equip an affordable luxury midsize sedan with top safety features.”

The LaCrosse offers these safety features:

• Intelligent technologies delivering a “360-degree” field of vision behind the steering wheel for a greater feeling of comfort, control and safety
• Side blind zone alert technology notifying the driver if a vehicle in adjacent lanes is traveling in the driver’s blind spot
• Rearview camera system featuring a display integrated into the navigation system screen
• Front- and side-impact air bags as well as roof-mounted head-curtain air bags that help protect occupants in the event of a rollover crash
• An advanced front-seat safety belt system including a dynamic locking latchplate, dual pretensioners that help tighten the safety belt for earlier restraint of the occupant during the onset of moderate to severe crashes; and load limiters that help limit the forces on the occupant to help reduce the risk of injury
• GM’s StabiliTrak stability- and traction-control system
• OnStar (included for the first year of ownership)

GM engineers developed the dynamic locking latchplate, which is part of the front safety belt system. It locks under dynamic crash loading to help securely restrain the occupant’s pelvis, and it works in concert with the safety belt load limiting feature to control loads on the occupant’s upper torso. This safety feature helped the LaCrosse achieve the five-star frontal crash rating for both driver and front-seat passenger.

Read more: http://blogs.automotive.com/6732736/miscellaneous/2011-buick-lacrosse-a-five-star-nhtsa-winner/index.html#ixzz1Kr66oqAl

Buick Envision Concept: Plug-In Hybrid SUV From Shanghai

The guessing games continue, with General Motors releasing more details about its Buick Envision concept car that give tantalizing hints of a concept stuffed with technology, but without the benefit of too many metrics.

Following the release of a sketch two weeks ago, now GM has released a whole set of concept photos. We'll be eager to see the actual car in the flesh once it's revealed at Auto Shanghai, which starts tonight (Tuesday morning in China).

Buick sells three times as many vehicles in China as it does in the States, so Chinese buyers--and future buyers--are the market for this swoopy concept whose styling is based on the concepts of yin and yang, according to GM's press material.

Right now, Buick has no small crossover in the Chinese market, so this is likely a styling study for a future model. Whether its plug-in hybrid powertrain makes it into production--and if so where?--is just one of the many puzzles.

The chassis is made of carbon fiber, aluminum, and magnesium (expect a variety of high-strength steels in a production version). The forward-tilting scissor doors are undeniably cool but unlikely for a volume vehicle.

It's that hybrid powertrain that has us intrigued, though. Buick says the Envision has "GM's world-leading PHEV plug-in hybrid system." That leads us to think it's not the Voltec powertrain used in the 2011 Chevy Volt range-extended electric car, but a new iteration of the ill-fated Two-Mode Plug-In Hybrid.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1058576_buick-envision-concept-plug-in-hybrid-suv-from-shanghai

Chicago Buick Dealers

FIRST DRIVE: 2012 Buick Lacrosse 37-MPG eAssist Prototype

To date, Buick and "fuel economy" haven't often been used in the same sentence.

But the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, the brand's largest surviving car, will offer one engine option that's projected to deliver 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway.
That's not bad for a midsize near-luxury sedan (though 1 mpg lower on city mileage than Buick had hoped).

We've just driven a development prototype of the 2012 LaCrosse fitted with the eAssist system that will be standard on the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the smaller of two engines (the other is a 3.6-liter V-6).

Electric "boost"

It includes not only a start-stop function, saving gasoline when the car isn't moving, it also recaptures electric power via regenerative braking and stores it for use by an electric motor that assists the gasoline engine in short bursts.

That's what allows this "mild hybrid" system to improve fuel economy on the highway as well as in the city. The eAssist system was unveiled as an option for the 2012 Buick Regal at the Chicago Auto Show too; both cars will go on sale by the end of the year.

For 2011, the 2.4-liter engine is rated by the EPA at 19 mpg city, 30 mpg highway. So an increase to 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway would be substantial: more than 30 percent in the city, almost 25 percent on the highway.

The big question is: Does the LaCrosse with eAssist drive like a Buick?

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1057317_first-drive-2012-buick-lacrosse-37-mpg-eassist-prototype

Regal Turbo Edges Competition in Highway Fuel Economy

DETROIT – Brad and Cathy French of Chicago have always driven cars with manual transmissions, including imports from Audi and BMW. Now the clothing industry sales and marketing reps drive a six-speed manual 2011 Buick Regal Turbo.

For the Frenchs, driving a “stick” is all about fun, fuel-efficiency and being alert in traffic.
“When you look at the Regal Turbo it just screams manual,” said Brad French, a fitness and fashion devotee for whom personal appearance factors into vehicle purchase decisions. “A few years ago I would’ve never considered Buick, but the Regal Turbo is a very sharp-looking car that is a thrill to drive. I can’t wait to show it off.”

Not only is the six-speed manual Regal Turbo a thrill to drive, it gets an EPA-rated 32 mpg on the highway, which is better than its closest competitors, Acura TSX and Volkswagen CC Sport. On the open road, Regal Turbo’s 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine delivers 220 hp and 258 lbs-ft of torque – also better than its rivals.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_buick.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Mar/0304_regal_turbo

Buick Regal Turbo Gets Industry-First Turbo Direct-Injected Engine with Flex-Fuel Capability

PONTIAC, Mich – The 2011 Buick Regal Turbo is the first direct-injected turbocharged production car capable of running on any blend of gasoline or E85 ethanol, joining more than 5 million flex-fuel models General Motors has produced over the last 15 years.
The turbocharged Ecotec 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that powers the Regal will help GM reach its goal of offering more than 50 percent of its production in flex-fuel models by the end of 2012.

Attendees at the National Ethanol Conference in Phoenix will have the opportunity to drive the Regal and the flex-fuel GMC Terrain during conference breaks today.

Compared to earlier versions of the 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo, GM powertrain engineers have significantly upgraded the new engine to accommodate both E85 and to incorporate refinements.


Since ethanol requires a richer air-fuel mixture than gasoline, flex-fuel engines need higher flow-rate injectors.  However, a flex-fuel engine can potentially have any combination of gasoline or up to 85 percent ethanol in the tank, so a sensor in the fuel system measures the blend in real-time.  This allows the engine management system to automatically adjust the mixture to provide improved performance and reduced emissions and fuel consumption.  Stainless steel fuel lines provide extra corrosion resistance to ensure that the Regal Turbo meets GM’s stringent durability requirements.

In the past, improving power output and reducing fuel consumption and emissions were often conflicting goals. By delivering fuel directly to the combustion chamber, the high-pressure injectors can now provide a more precise mixture for optimum combustion.

Turbochargers use the energy in the hot exhaust gas flow to drive a compressor that forces more air into the combustion chamber for on-demand power delivery. The twin-scroll turbocharger on the Ecotec engine provides two inlet paths to the turbine to maximize the kinetic and thermal energy delivered to the turbine.

“Lag and reduced vehicle launch response is one of the age-old concerns with previous turbo engines” said Ecotec chief engineer Mike Anderson.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_buick.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Feb/0221_regalturbo

2012 Buick Regal With eAssist: 26 MPG City, 37 MPG Highway Expected

The rumors started last week, and they were largely true: Buick plans to offer a model of its Regal compact sports sedan with the eAssist mild-hybrid system.

What we didn't have were the projected EPA mileage ratings (based on GM's internal tests). The company expects the 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist to be rated at 26 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, making it the most economical Buick model for 2012.

Unlike the larger 2012 Buick LaCrosse, which will fit the eAssist system as standard on the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine, the 2012 Regal will offer a base 2.4-liter engine without the system, and a version of the same engine with the fuel-saving powertrain as well.

The eAssist system consists of a small 0.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, mounted at the rear of the Regal's trunk along with its power electronics and control circuitry. While there is a slight reduction in trunk space, the Regal fitted with eAssist maintains a pass-through from the trunk to the rear passenger compartment.

An engine-mounted electric motor replaces a standard alternator, and is connected with a special tensioned belt that allows it both to be driven by the engine and to restart it and contribute torque for short periods.

The alternator-start acts as a generator to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost as heat from the brakes, using it to recharge the battery pack. It can also act as an electric motor to start the engine, as well as contributing some torque to assist the engine and avoid the transmission shifting to a lower gear under load.

The system is tuned to provide high power rather than sustained energy delivery. It does not provide full electric running, but allows the engine to switch off as the car comes to a stop, and then switches it on again as the driver's foot begins to lift off the brake pedal.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1054991_2012-buick-regal-with-eassist-26-mpg-city-37-mpg-highway-expected

Buick Dealers

GM Appoints Mary Barra to Lead Global Product Development

DETROIT – General Motors today named Mary Barra senior vice president, Global Product Development, to lead the design, engineering, program management and quality of vehicles for the company’s 11 brands around the world.

“Mary will bring a fresh perspective to the critically important job of developing vehicles that delight global customers,” said Dan Akerson, GM Chairman and CEO. “Her broad experience in engineering, manufacturing and staff functions, combined with the ability to collaborate and build strong relationships will enhance the company’s ability to deliver the products today’s consumers demand.”
Barra will lead the Product Development organization responsible for managing all global vehicle programs for GM.  In this position, she will continue to focus on the customer in the areas of global design, vehicle and powertrain engineering, program management and quality with the goal of delivering the world's best vehicles.  With more than 36,000 members, her team will also manage global strategic product alliances.

“Knowing that today’s global customer expects even more from their GM vehicle means we have to work harder than ever to exceed those expectations,” said Barra. “I’m excited by the opportunity associated with this new challenge and pleased to be joining such a strong team with deep technical knowledge and experience.”

Recognized for bringing diverse groups together for a common purpose, Barra was appointed vice president, Global Human Resources in 2009, to initiate change in the company’s culture during the largest restructuring in GM’s history.  Prior to this appointment, she had been vice president, Global Manufacturing Engineering. Barra has also held a number of engineering and staff positions, including plant manager, Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant; executive director of Competitive Operations Engineering; and general director of Internal Communications for GM North America.

Barra began her career with General Motors in 1980 as a General Motors Institute (Kettering University) co-op student at the Pontiac Motor Division. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. In 1988, Barra received a GM fellowship to the Stanford Graduate School of Business and in 1990 graduated with an MBA in Business Administration.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_buick.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Jan/0120_barra

Buick Dealers

2012 Buick Verano Official Photos and Info - Auto Shows

Buick executives have to be pretty happy with 2010. The brand had its highest sales since 2007, even outselling Cadillac. Now, executives think the brand is ready for a small car, and dealers who no longer have Pontiacs to peddle seemingly are clamoring for such a vehicle. Enter the 2012 Verano, which is debuting at the 2011 Detroit auto show and will slot below the Regal in the Buick lineup.

Cruzin’ for a Reusin’

Based on the Chevy Cruze, the Verano is longer (by 2.9 inches), slightly taller (0.3), and a bit wider (0.8) than that car. The styling differences between the two are more dramatic. The Verano's look borrows from other Buicks, with a front end very much like the Regal's. On the side, a crease follows the rocker panel before sweeping up ahead of the rear wheel arch—it's essentially a reverse of a similar line on the Regal—and is a very sophisticated and eye-catching complement to the profile. The rear of the Verano, where taillights are topped with chrome "eyebrows,” is its least-attractive angle. It is reminiscent of many small sedans sold in China, and that's not an accident. This car was designed largely with that market in mind, and has already been on sale there for nearly a year, badged as the Excelle GT.

More differentiation between the Buick and the Chevy come from what GM says it has done to make the Verano a luxury car, including increased sound-deadening measures and a total interior makeover. Buick is hot to trot for the fit and finish in this little car—rightfully so from what we experienced at a brief preview. The optional leather seats are wrapped in high-quality hides similar to those in the LaCrosse, the wood trim is real and looks it, and the interior panels fit together nicely. We’ll make a more definitive judgment when the car actually goes on sale here and we can slide behind the wheel.

The materials needed for these refinements, as well as the extra kit that the Verano will carry—more on that in a moment—add up to a curb weight that Buick estimates will be 100 to 200 pounds more than the 3206 of the Cruze LTZ we recently tested.

To motivate that added mass, the Verano gets GM’s direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which also serves in the base versions of the Regal and LaCrosse. Although it makes 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque in the bigger cars, GM estimates the four will make 177 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque in the Verano. The engine isn’t available in the Cruze, which instead offers 1.8-liter naturally aspirated and 1.4-liter turbocharged fours; both make 138 hp. Routing its power through a six-speed automatic and to the front wheels, Buick says the Verano’s four needs about eight seconds to accelerate the car to 60 mph, and will return an EPA-estimated 31 mpg on the highway. Those figures are a bit disappointing, as the much bigger and slightly heavier four-cylinder Chevy Malibu delivers a similar 8.6-second 0-to-60-mph run and an EPA-rated 33 mpg on the highway.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/10q4/2012_buick_verano_official_photos_and_info-auto_shows

Buick Dealers